By Donna Westfall – January 4, 2018 – Did you know that it's been 20 years since the smoking ban went into effect for bars? Did you further know that the local Veterans Memorial Building Canteen located at 810 H Street in Crescent City simply ignored the law? Not any more. Enter Alan "Chuck" Orton. 72 year old Chuck, is a veteran and stroke survivor which means he shouldn't be around smokers period. He states he's tried to get smoking banned in the Canteen for years and has largely been ignored. I met Chuck when he popped in for a few minutes at this morning's Town Hall Meeting at Fisherman's Restaurant. His goal, to personally thank Supervisor 1st District, Roger Gitlin, for getting the ban on smoking accomplished. Chuck said that when he complained at the Canteen about the smoking, "some women starting cussing me out." Gitlin didn't want to take the credit. "Chuck, you came to me with a problem. I spoke to Chief Administrative Officer, Jay Sarina. Jay notified the Canteen that the law would be enforced. This is the way our job as supervisor should work." Thanks go to Supervisor 5th District, Bob Berkowitz, for organizing The Town Hall Meeting; a public forum so the people have a voice. This is how it should work. But it only works if you speak up.